Donkey Kong Land
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| Developer(s) | Rareware |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Platforms | Game Boy |
| Release date: |  June 26, 1995  July 27, 1995  August 24, 1995 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Ratings | ESRB:  Kids to Adults
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| Modes | 1 player |
Donkey Kong Land, also known as Super Donkey Kong GB in Japan, is a Game Boy follow up to Donkey Kong Country, released in 1995. The game itself was loosely based off its SNES superior, again starring Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong on a quest in Donkey Kong Island. Despite limitations of the Game Boy, DKL introduced some new characters and locations. Donkey Kong Land was successful enough to feature a unique yellow cartridge (most GB games having a gray one) and two sequels.
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[edit] Story
Donkey Kong Land takes place directly after the events of Donkey Kong Country. Returning home exhausted and triumphant, the Kongs tell Cranky Kong of their adventure. Cranky Kong steps out of character and admits he underestimated the duo. After he returns to his querulous nature and claims DKC itself wouldn't have done so good without its advanced graphics. Again breaking the fourth wall as usual, he references how Nintendo's graphical revolution helped them win the console wars at the time and that kids will "buy anything nowadays".
Cranky Kong, now feeling quite cocky, arranged King K. Rool to steal the bananas again and sends Donkey and Diddy on another journey to reclaim them, this time in a smaller scaled 8-bit handheld. The two end up exploring new areas of Donkey Kong Island, meeting old friends and other familiar faces, along with new challenges and foes to oppose them.
[edit] Gameplay Overview
[edit] General Gameplay
Like most games on Game Boy, Donkey Kong Land is a side-scrolling platforming game. In similar vein to Donkey Kong Country, the player assumes control of either Donkey Kong or Diddy Kong (with only one on screen at a time) and must go through each level in one piece. Along the way there are usually several enemies, including the Kremling Krew in their way, however the player can utilize checkpoints, various items and on occasion an Animal Buddy to aid them. After a level is beat the next one is unlocked until finally reaching a boss, and them moving onto the next world.
As previously stated Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are the two playable characters, and the duo are an effective juxtapose. The two have some individual attributes to give the player variety, depending on what situation he/she is in. Both can run, jump, swim, grab onto ropes and vines, and utilize rolling attacks, though differ in style. Donkey Kong is the "heavy" character, moving slower and not being as agile as his ally. However his strength allows him to handle the enemy Krusha by himself. Diddy Kong is the lightweight and nimble contrast, utilizing his cartwheel ability to escape close quarters or jump large gaps.
[edit] Items
The Kongs encounter many types of items, objects, and coins in the game, mainly carried over from Donkey Kong Country. Commonly scattered throughout levels, they are key to success in the game.
- Bananas are collectible fruit found frequently in Donkey Kong Land, the fruit being forsaken by the Kong family. Collecting 100 of them rewards the player with a free life.
- Banana Bunches are, as the name implies, a group of bananas, bunched together for a value of ten bananas.
- Extra Life Balloons are special balloons which upon collection awards the player with a free life. They are however infamous for being hard-to-reach and float away quickly. Unlike Donkey Kong Country, there is no color or value distinction in the game due to limitations, so each balloon collected only gives one additional life.
- K-O-N-G Letters are a returning item from DKC. The letters are found in order in each non-boss level and can be collected as the player advances. Once all are reunited however their use is a far cry from the previous game; instead, the KONG Letters are collected in order to save the game. The Save Points were taken out (as well as Candy Kong herself) due to poor memory capabilities on the Game Boy.
- Kong Tokens are a new type of coin which can be collected in levels and exchanged for more lives.
[edit] Barrels
In addition, there are a few types of barrels found in the game, all carried over from Donkey Kong County:
- DK Barrels serve to bring back an injured Kong. When both are healthy and present it functions as a regular barrel.
- TNT Barrels are powerful, explosive barrels that detonate on impact. An effective weapon of choice to dispatch enemies or reveal secret entrances.
- Steel Kegs, also known as Steel Barrels, can be used as a projectile much like wooden barrels, however do not break as easily. They can be bounced off walls and are ride-able if jumped on after the bounce back.
- Wooden Barrels are simple barrels that can be picked up and tossed to harm enemies in the way.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Kongs
- Cranky Kong does not make an in-game appearance. He is however is responsible for the banana hoard being retaken, in his bet that Donkey and Diddy can't pull off an 8-bit adventure.
- Donkey Kong returns as the game's star. He is the stronger and slower foil to his companion Diddy. Donkey refuses to let Cranky win his bet and goes on yet another adventure to keep his precious bananas safe, and outside of the Kremling's clutches.
- Diddy Kong returns as the co-star, who makes use of his nimbleness and agility to help his buddy Donkey Kong win their 8-bit journey.
[edit] Animal Buddies
Due to limitations, only two animal buddies appear:
- Rambi the Rhinoceros, who returns from Donkey Kong Country, also appears in the first level, "Jungle Jaunt". He is needed to break open some bonus level areas.
- Expresso the Ostrich also returns from Donkey Kong Country, complete with his flying ability, though is oddly quite rare, and is usually found in bonus levels.
[edit] Enemies
As with their previous adventure, the Kongs find a variety of enemies in the game. Most are from Donkey Kong Country, though some are new.
- Angelfish
- Army
- Chomps Jr.
- Clambo
- Fangfish
- Gnawty
- Hogwash
- Klaptrap
- Kritter
- Krusha
- Mini-Necky
- Necky
- Nemo
- Slippa
- Snapper
- Swirlwind
- Zinger
[edit] Bosses
Bosses appear at the end of each world.
[edit] Levels and Worlds
[edit] Gangplank Galleon Ahoy!
- Jungle Jaunt (Jungle)
- Freezing Fun (Snow)
- Simian Swing (Jungle)
- Deck Trek (Ship)
- Rope Ravine (Snow)
- Tire Trail (Jungle)
- Riggin' Rumble (Ship)
- Congo Carnage (Jungle)
- Arctic Barrel Arsenal (Snow)
- BOSS: Wild Sting Fling (Ship)
[edit] Kremlantis
- Tricky Temple (Temple)
- Kremlantis (Underwater Ruins)
- Reef Rampage (Coral)
- Snake Charmer's Challenge (Temple)
- Chomp's Coliseum (Underwater Ruins)
- Nautilus Chase (Coral)
- Swirlwind Storm (Temple)
- BOSS: Sea-bed Showdown (Underwater Ruins)
[edit] Monkey Mountains and Chimpanzee Clouds
- Pot Hole Panic (Caves)
- Mountain Mayhem (Mountains)
- Track Attack (Clouds)
- Spiky Tire Trail (Caves)
- Sky High Caper (Clouds)
- Landslide Leap (Mountains)
- Collapsing Clouds (Clouds)
- BOSS: Mad Mole Holes (Caves)
[edit] Big Ape City
- Balloon Barrage (Skyscraper)
- Kong Krazy (Blimp)
- Construction Site Fight (Construction Site)
- Fast Barrel Blast (Blimp)
- Skyscraper Caper (Skyscraper)
- Button Barrel Blast (Construction Site)
- Oil Drum Slum (Skyscraper)
- BOSS: K. Rool's Kingdom (Blimp)
[edit] Beta Elements
An animal buddy called Ram Bunkshus was to appear, as seen in an issue of Nintendo Power. He has been stated to be male, able to climb, and use his horns as a weapon. It is possible he was a considered replacement for Rambi given his horns, but was dropped.
Pucka is a dropped underwater enemy also appearing in Nintendo Power. It has been stated to be a "large fish in a small sea", and make water levels tougher for DK and Diddy. It might of been dropped due to the abundance of underwater enemies already in the game.
The final unused element is a Kong character resembling Donkey Kong with a hat. Nothing else is known about him, not even his name.
The unnamed Kong.
[edit] Gallery
[edit] Boxarts and title screens
Japanese Box-art.
American box-art.
"Million seller" USA box-art
Japanese title screen.
Super Game Boy version of American title screen.
-art.jpg)
[edit] Screenshots
Game Over screen.
[edit] Trivia
- This is the only Donkey Kong Land-game that has DK Barrels on the ground; the next two would only have them floating in mid-air.
[edit] See also
| Donkey Kong series | ||||||||||||||||||||
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